Irish author Jonathan Swift, best known for writing “Gulliver's Travels,” once said, “Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.”

This quote seems appropriate to describe the current climate surrounding the Wave streetcar. The recent political rhetoric and misgivings have clouded the true vision of this project to the point where many have lost sight of the big picture.

First, let me be clear to those who tell me “Save the Wave” or “Goodbye Wave”: the issue is much more complex than a simple phrase. I believe the Wave concept will succeed, but I have concerns about the Wave product — overhead wires and underground infrastructure are not ideal. Moving forward, we must upgrade the Wave to reduce or eliminate the need for both.

At its core, the Wave is a key investment in the future of Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, and South Florida. It will provide enhanced mobility and connectivity, create jobs, stimulate economic development, and promote long-term sustainability by offering residents and visitors a quick, convenient, and environmentally-friendly public transportation alternative.

As the Wave was being developed, the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), which represents 31 Broward municipalities, placed it ahead of all other city and county transportation projects in order to secure funding. The MPO partner cities and county put funding requests for their own transportation projects on hold for five years because they realized the long-term visionary importance of the Wave, and recognized that it offered the best opportunity to advance a countywide regionally connected mobility system.

The Wave has received unprecedented political and financial support at the local, state and federal levels: $82.7 million in federal funding; $52.6 million in state funding; $10.4 million in county funding; $21.6 million from the Downtown Development Authority; $4.2 million from the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA); and $23.7 million from the city. The tremendous financial commitments indicate federal, state and local governments recognize the Wave’s importance and believe in its long-term value and viability, and the Wave investment is a clear signal of strength and confidence about our region’s vision to be a leader in multi-modal transportation.

The millions in committed state and federal funds took years to secure and, if returned, will not be made available to us for other uses and will likely jeopardize future funding for major projects such as the federal courthouse, Port Everglades, FLL International Airport, and other local and regional transportation initiatives.

The Wave is the essential component of a much larger planned regional transportation solution that will enable us to utilize numerous, interconnected public transportation options to move in and around South Florida without a car. It is a reflection of a fundamental shift in our region’s transportation philosophy, which today, focuses much less on moving vehicles and much more on moving people.

As this network begins to take shape, the role of the Wave becomes increasingly more important as the key cog in an expanded multi-modal transit system linking downtown Fort Lauderdale to the International Airport, Port Everglades, and colleges and universities in Davie; and interconnecting with mobility options including Brightline, Tri-Rail, Sun Trolley, Broward Transit, community buses, ride-sharing services, B-cycle, Water Taxis, and other transportation services.

From an economic standpoint, the Wave is helping stimulate major private investment in downtown Fort Lauderdale with more than $3 billion in real estate development planned, approved, under construction, or completed within the past five years.

Currently, we have 15,601 residential units built, under construction, or approved in the downtown area, and we have an additional 3,237 units pending at various stages of review. Many of these projects are located within walking distance of the Wave route and include hotels, apartments, condominiums, and mixed-use developments. This visionary urban lifestyle puts mobility at the forefront and recently resulted in downtown Fort Lauderdale being named “South Florida’s Latest Hotspot.”

The Wave is also enhancing development opportunities along the Sistrunk Boulevard corridor, which is attracting interest from an array of investors for projects including a new YMCA, a 142-unit residential complex, marketplace and microbrewery, senior living facility, blues club, performing arts center, restaurants, retail center and more.

We recognize that no single initiative will achieve all of our transportation objectives and that the Wave does have its limitations. However, moving the project forward will provide us with an opportunity to enhance and upgrade the system in the future. Ideally, as new engineering and technology solutions come online, the Wave can transform to a wireless, autonomous system that may serve as a standard for other cities to emulate.

While the Wave project is primarily about moving people, it also represents the start of something much greater. It offers us a chance to look at the big picture; provides us with an opportunity to change our behavior, mindset, and perceptions about public transportation; and moves us closer to fulfilling our vision of creating an active, livable, and sustainable community that connects people to places.

As a community, we need to responsibly discuss, debate, evaluate, and improve the Wave for our families and our future.